CRONULLA halfback Chad Townsend will be a Shark for a further three years after agreeing to a long-term contract with the premiers.

A week after losing Jack Bird to the Brisbane Broncos, the Sharks moved quickly to tie up their playmaker until the end of 2020 to ensure his combination with halves partner James Maloney continues for at least another season.

Lewis has indicated he wants to go around again in 2018. The veteran backrower is in doubt for Cronulla’s clash against Gold Coast on Saturday night at Southern Cross Stadium after failing to finish the club’s captain’s run on Friday.

Lewis is struggling with tightness in his hamstring and the official line out of the Sharks is he will be given until the morning of the game to prove his fitness.

Flanagan is tipped to bring Tagataese into the 17-man squad ahead of Tony Williams if Lewis is ruled out.